Whose side are YOU on?

Some of you know me, many of you have met me briefly on the counter rally line at any number of Northeast events this past spring, most of you don't know me from squat. Like any real Vermont'a, when I commit myself to something, it's all or nothing. There are no half ass commitments, or "ok, I'll do this...but not this" type of attitudes.

So it is with the GoE, and while I have no idea what it is that I'm doing here, I'm learning along the way thanks to some wonderful mentoring from some great people and true American hereos. These guys and gals are the reason I'm involved as far as I am.

The focus of GoE has shifted since I first became involved. What started out as simply a group of (mostly) vets going to DC to protect The Wall, has evolved into a full on troop support organization. We have lost some people along the way, we have gained others. What we are trying to do is important and necessary. I shudder to think what the consequences will be if we don't get the backing for our military men and women in September to continue their mission.

You only have to read the news, and not even the entire articles, how about just the headlines from the past 24 hours?

• 20 beheaded bodies found in Iraq http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070628/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

Israeli troops battle Fatah militants
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070628/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

OR this:

"Muslims need to recognize that we distinguish between traditional Islam and the radical Islamists who want to use it as a means of seizing power and imposing a totalitarian vision on other Muslims," Mr. Phillips said.
Then, last August, Mr. Bush referred to "Islamic fascists" after British authorities foiled a plot by Muslim terrorists to blow up several airplanes bound for the United States.

"This nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation," he said on Aug. 10, 2006.

Peter Singer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said that term was overly provocative, and was interpreted by many Muslims as a criticism of Islam itself.

"Why do you think we haven't heard it again since then?" Mr. Singer said.

White House spokesman Tony Snow yesterday reaffirmed that the president views Islam as "a religion of peace."

"He also believes that it has been hijacked, in some cases, by people who use Islam as a shield for murdering people, who use it as a way of spreading terrorism, rather than tolerance," Mr. Snow said.

A senior White House official said the president shifted away from using the term "Islamic fascists" because he did not think it helped him contrast radical Muslims with moderate Muslims.

A recent study found that there is substantial sympathy for Islamic terrorism among Western Muslims, including those in the United States.

The Pew Research Center found that 26 percent of 18- to 29-year-old Muslims in the United States think suicide bombings are sometimes justified to defend Islam.

Radwan Masmoudi, founder and president of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, said that he was disturbed by those findings, but added that such views are "not reflective of who we are or what our religion teaches."


Maybe it isn't, but the jihadists are saying that it is, and making recruits on that basis. More than a simple denial is needed from Radwan Masmoudi and others like him, if this is ever going to stop.

Posted by Robert at 7:18 AM | Comments (46)
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OR:

"There are only two options for Muslims; to win or to die"
Not, in this view, "to coexist peacefully as equals with non-Muslims on an indefinite basis."

More efforts to impede the anti-jihad resistance by playing on Western phobias about "bigotry": "West funds elite unit to destroy Islam: hardliners," by Mark Forbes for the Brisbane Herald (thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist):

INDONESIAN Muslim hardliners have called for the Australian-backed anti-terrorism squad Detachment 88 to be abolished because they say it is financed and trained by foreign countries to destroy Islam.
Islamic leaders including the cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the alleged former leader of the terrorist network Jemaah Islamiah, and lawyers for terrorist suspects recently arrested by the squad, made the demand at a press conference yesterday.

Throwing down the gauntlet to authorities after the capture of two JI leaders, Kholil Ridwan, of the Islamic Community Forum, said Detachment 88 was a US tool to "stigmatise Islam".

"We call on the Indonesian Government to stop co-operation with the United States and its allies in the global war on terror," Mr Ridwan said. "The United States' war on terror, with the help of its sheriff, Australia, and deputy sheriff, Singapore, is a war against Islam."


It most certainly is nothing of the kind. But this just shows that all the blather about the Religion of Peace, and all the efforts to emphasize that this is not a war against Islam, have accomplished nothing. We would have been much better off had Western leaders spoken forthrightly about this effort as a defense against the global jihad, and called upon peaceful Muslims to reject the ideology of the jihadists, instead of ignoring it and denying it exists.

Bashir denied terrorists existed in Indonesia, saying: "Those who did bombings, they are just doing counter-terrorism. They are holy warriors to defend Muslims terrorised in other countries." The real terrorist was America, he said, though it was a mistake for bombers to target peaceful areas....
Dujana told CNN the group would continue its fight for Islamic rule but he wanted it to limit civilian casualties....

A team of 13 lawyers will today file a lawsuit demanding Detachment 88 be disbanded on behalf of Muslim activists who say they have been wrongfully arrested. "We don't want any more arrests taking place," said one lawyer, Munarman.

He said the unit was torturing holy warriors who were trying to defend Islam.

Bashir warned all Muslims against helping the squad. "We know that Detachment 88 is a tool of Americans and Jews and any Muslim who helps infidels is an apostate," he said....

All Muslims should fight to create an Islamic state, he urged. "There are only two options for Muslims; to win or to die."


The entire non-muslim world is under attack. Don't think that we are not. Personally, I don't relish the idea of wearing a burka, in fact there is NO ONE in this world that will make me.

I will fight to defend the freedoms that my grandfather and father have fought to retain. I will fight to support those who are fighting for us. I will not lose focus of what the GoE stands for. I will NOT allow my daughter to live in a muslim state. I have raised her to be a strong, independent AMERICAN woman.

We can not lose. Wake up America. Burying your head in the sand does not make this threat go away. Chanting "peace" in the street is not going to sway the desires of the islamic nation. And their desire is world domination. What color do you want YOUR burka ladies? How will you feel when the events that are happening all over the world as a result of jihad are happening dailey in YOUR neighborhood? How will you feel when it's YOUR child that a suicide bomb is strapped to?

"That won't happen here". Ummmm.....yeah. WAKE UP! If you don't want that to happen here, SUPPORT OUR MILITARY. They are the ONLY ones standing between them and us! Pelosi, Reid, Clinton(s), Obama, Kerry, Gore, Dean (list goes on to include 99.9% of politicians in BOTH parties) will not be standing up with you if terrorists come knocking in your neighborhood. You can trust that. They will be hiding out, saying "oh my...we should have listened", and "but WE supported you! you said you would leave us alone if we pulled out of Iraq".

Grow up America! This is NOT a game of Risk.

NOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD........NOT ON MY WATCH........

I choose the side of victory for our military. Which side are you on?

From the GoE forum

Would like to relay a great story from a senior leader currently deployed in Baghdad, Iraq……

—"I was in line at our deli this week with a 21 year old PFC ftrom the 82d Airborne Division. He was soaked in sweat and had an M4 slung over his back and a big grin on his face. I started talking to him and found out he was in here on a quick break to drop off something at the Hqs/Palace while they patrolled Haifa Street just outside the embassy. They decided to grab lunch while they were here (good call). Haifa Street is one of the nastiest places on earth.

Al Qaeda considers the street its turf. The 82d Airborne vigorously disputes that claim. This young trooper was the most upbeat and enthusiastic person I have met since I have been here. After seven months of doing combat patrols, seeing his friends killed and getting shot at on a daily basis, he was not the least bit daunted or disillusioned. What he told me was, 'this is a tough fight with bad people. They mean us harm. I am a paratrooper. I'm here to take care of it. There is plenty of work to do, but we are up to it.'

I was immediately reminded of a picture and quote taken during the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944—-An entire US Armored Division was retreating from the Germans in the Ardennes Forest when a sergeant in a tank destroyer spotted an American digging a foxhole. The GI, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, looked up and asked, 'are you looking for a safe place?? Yeah, answered the tanker. Well, buddy, he drawled, just pull your vehicle behind me….I'm the 82d Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going.'

That young airborne PFC I met this week, once again, made me thank God for brave young paratroopers. I have no doubt that Haifa Street is as far as these bastards are going too. We all need to pause and thank God that our nation has been blessed, generation after generation, with young men and women like these two PFCs who, separated by 63 years and continents, are full of optimism and courage and do not take counsel of anyone's fears.

The name and faces may change, but the spirit of our soldiers remains. This is why we do what we do for a living—-it's all about soldiers."

And that's why GOE will always do what we do—-support our soldiers.

God bless all of them.

RANGER566

Company C, 1/508th Airborne Infantry Battalion

82d Airborne Division

1966
"Sometimes supporting the troops is more than buying a four dollar magnetic ribbon that was made in China and slapping it on a gas guzzling SUV."---HYTEC

Flag Day

Flag Day
When : June 14th

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

Properly Display Our Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:


The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.
Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Famous Flag People:
Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.

Francis Scott Key Inspired by the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to our national anthem as he witnessed the event as British rockets whizzed in the air while our American Flag flew in the breeze


Did you Know? If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist!

If you do nothing else..........

Please contribute!

I swiped this from the GoE mainpage....thanks to Chris Hill for writing it!

“If Not Now, When?”
June 3rd, 2007

Dear All,

I am honored to have stood with so many of my brothers and sisters at GOE I. The highest praise I can give is to say that it was the best St. Patrick’s Day I have ever had. For someone who has a daughter named Reilly Patricia, that is bold praise indeed. Since then I have been on the ground at a number of Gathering of Eagles events and have been a representative of GOE at others. This past Monday, Memorial Day, I was afforded the high honor of laying the wreath at three different memorials in Philadelphia. I was escorted by the Color Guard of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society at all three events. The Society made me an associate member of their organization after GOE I in recognition of my efforts. Being made an associate member, and laying the wreaths were, to me, an honor of greater magnitude than a Silver Star.

Vietnam veterans have always been my Gold Standard for warriors. When I joined the Army in the mid-80s, my 1st Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant and Squad Leader were all Vietnam vets. My father served then, my uncle is Vietnam-era, and I have worn a POW/MIA bracelet since my junior year in high school. I take nothing away from The Greatest Generation; they saved the world. For me, though, Vietnam veterans have always been the standard of excellence. They came home to scorn and derision. They were unwelcome in the VFWs. They could have simply faded away into the night, but they decided instead to band together. They started their own organizations to replace the VFW, and built their own memorials to their brothers lost in a far-off land. They also said, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” I took that to heart, too.

Our brothers and sisters fighting in far off lands have recently begun to receive the treatment my Vietnam brethren suffered. The far left has started to blame them for the War on Terrorism. The chants of “baby-killer,” “war criminal,” and, lately, “bomb maker,” have been hurled at us at our counter-demonstrations. We all know that the Tet Offensive was a complete victory for US forces. After the Tet Offensive the Viet Cong were finished as an effective fighting force. Their number had been decimated, and yet members of the US media called Tet a US loss. Does the model sound familiar?

I have, therefore, taken as my personal mantra “BUY THE TROOPS SOME TIME.” I cannot claim to have come up with it. I heard someone else say it, and it resonated. If we truly wish to be the support for the troops we claim, if we truly wish to see our men and women in uniform come home victorious, we have to BUY THEM TIME TO WIN. Congress will be deliberating yet again on whether to extend the funding in Iraq come September. It is time for us, the veteran’s community and its supporters, to stand up and say, “WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE COUNTRY TO ABANDON ANOTHER GENERATION OF VETERANS.”

Deep in my heart I know there are millions of us out there who think this way. It is now time for us to ruck up and make a difference. Only 9% of the American population has ever worn the uniform. We probably have another 10% who did not serve but feel as we do. It is time to reach out to those who have yet to reach out to us. It is time for those of us who have borne too much of the load for too long to bear a little more. Without sufficient numbers Congress will do as they have always done. They will ignore us. Together though, we are impossible to discount. I promise to give it my all.

As National Director for Operations, I am on the go constantly. I collect frequent flyer miles and gas receipts faster all the time. I sleep 5 hours or so a night. I spend too many hours at my keyboard answering emails and putting out fires. I eat the majority of my meals on the go. I sometimes wonder if I am even making a dent in the armor of the machine that opposes us. Then I meet a Blue Star mom who says she considers herself lucky to be counted among our number, and then I meet a Gold Star mom who thanks me for my service. At that point I realize that the men and women currently in the fight need a champion. They need someone to stand up for them while they stand up for us. I know we are all too busy to take on one more thing, but if not now, when? If not us, who? This is a plea then for all of you who have said a hundred times, “I can’t let them do this to our guys.”

Accept one more mission. Sign up for the duration and help me BUY THE TROOPS SOME TIME.

Sincerely,

Chris Hill

Gathering of Eagles

National Director for Operations

Some beautiful pics for your viewing pleasure

This is a partial view of what the families going to the USCG graduation saw upon their arrival. (Gave them something to see besides the sea of yellow across the street from us!)






SSGT Tim Chambers. This Marine held a salute in the middle of the Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall.




A flag of granite.